Israeli Public Most Satisfied with Education Minister: Why??

כ"ט לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

When I saw this headline, I thought to myself, "Oh, no. The people have really lost it this time!"

Why on earth would the Israeli public be most satisfied with Shari Piron's performance as Minister of Education, over any others?? 

Let's see...

• He hosted a Ramadan Break-fast.
• He heads one of the departments set to re-educate the ideologically motivated hilltop youth.
• He Endured criticism from prominent Religious Zionist Rabbi Zalman Melamed of Beth-El, for being apart of the Yesh Atid Party, and thus associated with cuts in yeshiva budgets..
• And, most recently, he praised leftist extraordinaire Shulamit Aloni for working "with courage, honesty and integrity which are a model for a ground-breaking leader, a woman of principle and action with firm ideology."

Plus, I have it on very high authority that he is not the biggest fan of non-Mamlakhi (State), private and semi-private schools, irregardless of some of their impeccable records, and has not been terribly supportive of them,...and that's an understatement, I have been told. What does this suggest about his views on educational choice? What does this tell you about his concern for children not enrolled in the State indoctrination process?

Rabbi Shai Piron
(Photo: Yossi Aloni)

Not a very promising Minister of Education, not in my book anyway.

But, then I actually read the report...

Arutz 7: Public Most Satisfied with Education Minister, Poll FindsEducation Minister Shai Piron is the minister with whose performance the Israeli public is most satisfied, finds new poll.

Elad Benari, January 29, 2014
Education Minister Shai Piron (Yesh Atid) is the minister with whose performance the Israeli public is most satisfied, according to a poll conducted for Channel 2 and released Tuesday. 

In the poll, which was conducted among 501 people, respondents were asked to specify four ministers with whose performance they were most satisfied. 

Rabbi Shai Piron
Minister of RE-Education
(Photo: Yo'av Dudekevitch)

46 percent of respondents indicated that they were satisfied with Piron’s performance. The second place went to Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, with 32 percent of respondents saying they were satisfied with his performance. 

Interior Minister Gideon Saar came in third place with 31 percent of respondents saying they were satisfied with the performance. 

Saar was followed by Health Minister Yael German (Yesh Atid) and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni. 28 percent said they approved of German and Livni’s performances. 27 percent were satisfied with the performance of Economy, Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs and Religious Services Minister Naftali Bennett. 

Only 15 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with Finance Minister Yair Lapid. Minister Silvan Shalom also received the approval of only 15 percent of respondents. Housing Minister Uri Ariel was backed by 10 percent of the respondents in the poll. 

International Relations and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz and Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver (Yisrael Beytenu) were at the bottom of the list, with 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Gee. I guess we need standardize our definitions of "satisfied" and "most satisfied."

Why, I almost thought that it was actually true that the Israeli public was "most satisfied" with the Education Minister's performance,...and I suppose they are,...technically speaking.

Of course, I did not know that this description of being the mostest of the mostest was based solely on the few measly percentage points he managed to squeeze out of the survey in order to squeak past the those other ministers also performing at a less than 50 percent satisfaction rate.

So, what does that really make Rabbi Minister Shai Piron?

It makes him the winner of the losers.

Is Shimon Peres Naive, Delusional, or Just Evil?/האם שמעון פרס תם, יש לו אשלייות, או פשוט רשע?

כ"ט לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

(English version below)

Arutz 7: Peres: 'Live Under the PA, What Are You Afraid Of?'
Peres responds to Bennett-Netanyahu crisis on having Jews live under PA, asks 'what's this fear, they'll kill Jews, today?'

Ari Yashar, January 29, 2014

Shimon Peres

Amid the ongoing crisis between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Economics Minister Naftali Bennett over the idea of leaving Jews under Palestinian Authority (PA) rule, President Shimon Peres decided to add his opinion to the debate.

Bennett wrote on his Facebook page Monday "why can’t we let the Palestinians be sovereign over Israelis? Because they’ll kill them." He added a picture from the notorious lynch in 2000 of two Israeli police officers at the hands of a Palestinian Arab mob in Ramallah.

In response, Peres opined Wednesday morning at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) that Jews would be "safe" living under PA rule.

"What's this fear that's struck us suddenly? They'll kill Jews? Today?" commented the doubtful Peres. "The fear should have been in 1948 when we didn't have a cannon, tank or plane against seven armies."

Despite Peres's appraisal that having a cannon means no Jews will be killed, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) figures note that terrorist attacks skyrocketed in 2013, jumping to 1,271 from 578 the year prior. Of those attacks, 1,042 took place in Judea and 229 took place in Samaria, the areas Peres claims can be abandoned safely.

Ironically, the same day that Peres opined "today they won't kill Jews," an Arab terrorist opened fire on an IDF guard post next to the Samaria community of Ateret, which lies near Ramallah. Soldiers returned fire, eliminating the terrorist.

Peres steadfastly supports the establishment of a Palestinian state in the heart of the country, even as the PA refuses to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

"If we want to be a Jewish people we need a Jewish state, and all other reasoning has to bend to that need," said Peres Tuesday.

In the past Peres has said the PA recognition of Israel as a Jewish state is "unnecessary."

The president has also warned of "tragic consequences" if Israel does not submit to peace proposals that would require massive territorial withdrawals and a divided internationally-managed Jerusalem.

The president has a history of downplaying the lethal dangers posed by Israel's terrorist threats.

In 2006, in the midst of massive Kassam rocket attacks on Sderot from Gaza, Peres claimed "[We] have to stop being hysterical about the Kassams. ...What's the big deal? ...We have to tell the Palestinians that Kassams, Shmassams, we're staying."

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Really, the entire piece by Ari Yashar above should be highlighted in red.

Not only was there another Arab terrorist attack as Peres spoke of living safely among the Arabs, but his comments also came on the heels of Holocaust Memorial Day, Holocaust, as in exactly what the Arabs would love to repeat.

Shimon Peres was in the government on Purim, 1994, when those posters in Arabic around Hevron, announced the impending completion of "the job Haman started."

 

The Palestinian Peace Plan

Things have really changed since then? The Arabs have changed? Shimon Peres certainly hasn't.

Naftali Bennett's "Zionistic U-Turn"

כ"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

JPost.com: Bennett: Jews living in Palestinian state is "U-turn for Zionism"
Herb Keinon, January 28, 2014

Bayit Yehudi leader says Jews would be killed in Palestinian state, Israel must preserve sovereignty.

Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett addressed a security conference in Tel Aviv hosted by the Institute for Nation Security Studies (INSS) on Tuesday.

Bennett, during his speech, stressed his disappointment in the peace process and said that Israel must not give back land to the Palestinians.

"People said that giving back land would bring security, but in the year 2000, terrorism was rampant in the streets of Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem," he said.

Jews cannot live under Palestinian sovereignty for the simple reason that if they do they will be killed, he said.

Not only did Bennett not back down from criticisms he sounded Monday against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's suggestion that the settlements may remain under Palestinian sovereignty in a future agreement, but he ratcheted up his criticism.

"It will not happen, and cannot happen," Bennett said of the idea. "You know why Jews can't live under Palestinian sovereignty? Why? Because they will kill them. How do I know, because it happened."

Bennett said it happened in 1929 in Hebron, when the ancient Jewish community there was butchered by their Arab neighbors, and it happened again in 2000 when two reservists made a wrong turn and were lynched after being taken to the Palestinian Authority police station in Ramallah.

Everyone knows, he said, that if an Arab wanders into to Herzliya he will leave safely, but that if a Jew gets lost and ends up in Jenin he will be killed.

"We all came here to the land of Israel in the name of Zionism," he declared. "The essence of Zionism is sovereignty. If there is no sovereignty there is no Zionism."

He said that placing Jews under foreign rule would be a Zionistic U-turn.

"We tried it in Europe, and it did not really work," he said, just an hour after getting back from what he said was his first trip to Poland and Auschwitz as part of a Knesset delegation.

"We were always proud that only a Jewish army will defend the Jews. What has happen too us. What is the significance of even raising this idea. What does it say about us."

Bennett said that from security and practical reasons, and first and foremost because of values of Zionism, "I suggest and demand that this idea be removed from the agenda."

Bennett called on the international community not to use Israel as an experimental lab. "People live here with dreams, families, and very difficult experience. What is the price we pay when you play with our fate. The Israeli public won't let that happen any more."

Regarding his alternative, Bennett suggested his pre-election plan to restrict the points of friction and declare Israeli sovereignty over the "Israeli parts of Judea and Samaria, where 400,000 Israelis, and only 70,000 Palestinians live." He said those Palestinians will be offered full Israeli citizenship.

In the rest of the territory he said the Palestinians would enjoy full autonomy, hold their own elections, pay and collect their own taxes, build for themselves, and create transportation continuity so there will be free movement in Judea and Samaria.

"Is this perfect? He asked. "No it is not perfect, But is it much better than the fantasy of putting in the heart of our land an enemy state? Yes." He called on everyone to "grow up" and discard the illusion that every problem has a perfect solution.

Palestinian Future Vision for Israel: Death
(May God Forbid!)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Minister Bennett definitely makes some excellent points, points which I would have hoped would be obvious to any and every Jew every where, certainly those in the current Israeli government...

"Israel must preserve sovereignty."

"Israel must not give back land to the Palestinians."

"We all came here to the land of Israel in the name of Zionism."

 "The essence of Zionism is sovereignty. If there is no sovereignty there is no Zionism."

But, then he says that...

"...placing Jews under foreign rule would be a Zionistic U-turn." 

What is a "Zionistic U-Turn?" It seems to me that Bennett, himself, makes a "Zionistic U-Turn..."

"He said those [70,000] Palestinians will be offered full Israeli citizenship."

"In the rest of the territory he said the Palestinians would enjoy full autonomy, hold their own elections, pay and collect their own taxes, build for themselves, and create transportation continuity so there will be free movement in Judea and Samaria."

The "Bennett Plan" vs. The "Arafat Plan"
Is there really that much of a difference?

This has always been the fundamental error of the National Religious Party, the Techiyah Party, and now, the Jewish Home Party. They have all been wishy-washy when it comes to sovereignty, all the while pretending that they are not.

במדבר לג
נב  וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּם אֶת-כָּל-יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ, מִפְּנֵיכֶם, וְאִבַּדְתֶּם, אֵת כָּל-מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָם; וְאֵת כָּל-צַלְמֵי מַסֵּכֹתָם תְּאַבֵּדוּ, וְאֵת כָּל-בָּמוֹתָם תַּשְׁמִידוּ. נג וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּם אֶת-הָאָרֶץ, וִישַׁבְתֶּם-בָּהּ: כִּי לָכֶם נָתַתִּי אֶת-הָאָרֶץ, לָרֶשֶׁת אֹתָהּ. נד וְהִתְנַחַלְתֶּם אֶת-הָאָרֶץ בְּגוֹרָל לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיכֶם, לָרַב תַּרְבּוּ אֶת-נַחֲלָתוֹ וְלַמְעַט תַּמְעִיט אֶת-נַחֲלָתוֹ--אֶל אֲשֶׁר-יֵצֵא לוֹ שָׁמָּה הַגּוֹרָל, לוֹ יִהְיֶה: לְמַטּוֹת אֲבֹתֵיכֶם, תִּתְנֶחָלוּ. נה וְאִם-לֹא תוֹרִישׁוּ אֶת-יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ, מִפְּנֵיכֶם--וְהָיָה אֲשֶׁר תּוֹתִירוּ מֵהֶם, לְשִׂכִּים בְּעֵינֵיכֶם וְלִצְנִינִם בְּצִדֵּיכֶם; וְצָרְרוּ אֶתְכֶם--עַל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם יֹשְׁבִים בָּהּ. נו וְהָיָה, כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּמִּיתִי לַעֲשׂוֹת לָהֶם--אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם.

Numbers 33
52 then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places. 53 And ye shall drive out the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein; for unto you have I given the land to possess it. 54 And ye shall inherit the land by lot according to your families--to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer thou shalt give the less inheritance; wheresoever the lot falleth to any man, that shall be his; according to the tribes of your fathers shall ye inherit. 55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then shall those that ye let remain of them be as thorns in your eyes, and as pricks in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land wherein ye dwell. 56 And it shall come to pass, that as I thought to do unto them, so will I do unto you.

This Western/assimilationist resistance against fulfilling the misswah (Torah commandment) of possessing the Land, or conquering it, entirely and property is holding us back. Worse yet, the winning of land, such as in 1967, 1973, and 2006, and then giving it away is nothing less than a complete failure to accept the precious gifts which The Almighty has placed in our hands.

The relinquishing of Har HaBayith (the Temple Mount) in 1967 was probably the best example of our ingratitude.

And, it does not matter if man-made maps say that we have sovereignty over the Land, when we really don't. I do not believe you will be able to fool the masses with that one anymore.

Previously, I asked that the Real Naftali Bennett Please Stand Up.

"Eretz Yisrael is ours."

OR

"We will annex only part of Judea and Samaria, and grant Arabs autonomy in the rest."

I am afraid that is no longer necessary.

We already know which one he is.

Bennett concluded his conference speech with calling...

"...on everyone to "grow up" and discard the illusion that every problem has a perfect solution."

That maybe so. But, I guarantee that The Almighty's solution comes pretty close, and is only hindered by the imperfect humans who attempt to implement it.

But, you will never know, until you try. Even though we are not to be rely upon the potential of miraculous intervention, The Holy One, Blessed Be He, might just surprise you.

Could Allowing Israeli Settlers to Fend for Themselves be a Good Idea?

כ"ז לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

Rumors of "abandoning" settlers in Yehudah and Shomron (Judea and Samaria) have been for years. The following reports are nothing new, save for confirmations,...of the existence of the rumors.

Certainly, one must be careful with rumors, or even slips or open statements of unreliable politicians. Nonetheless, let's have some fun speculating about these rumors, slips, and statements, and see if we can formulate an reasonable hypotheses about what could, would, or should happen.

Times Of Israel: PM would let all settlers remain in West Bank, official says
Netanyahu will not force any Jews living in what would become ‘Palestine’ to leave, and would insist they get the option to stay where they are under peace deal
Raphael Ahren January 26, 2014

PM Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not intend to uproot Jewish settlements anywhere in the West Bank, and will not force any settlers to leave, even under a permanent peace deal with the Palestinians, a well-placed official in the Prime Minister’s Office told The Times of Israel on Sunday. Rather, the prime minister will insist that settlers be given the free choice of remaining in place and living under Palestinian rule, or relocating to areas under Israeli sovereign rule, the official said.

That requirement seems certain to constitute a significant obstacle in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, since Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has categorically rejected the idea of any Israeli — soldier or civilian — remaining in a Palestinian state. (cont.)

...Netanyahu was and remains a fierce critic of the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, under which prime minister Ariel Sharon forced the evacuation of all Gaza settlers and the demolition of their settlements.

(Tip: Tomer Devorah)

Netanyahu's coalition partner Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) does not seem to like this plan...

Times Of Israel: Bennett on Netanyahu’s plan for settlers: ‘Never’
PM’s vision of a ‘Jewish minority’ staying in place in ‘Palestine,’ first reported by Times of Israel, draws furious response from right-wingers, Palestinian officials
Marissa Newman January 26, 2014

Naftali Bennett
Minister of Religious Affairs,
Commerce, and Druze?

Senior coalition politicians — including Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon, and Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin — slammed comments made Sunday to the Times of Israel by an official in the Prime Minister’s Office, who indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing to allow Israeli settlers the choice to remain in situ under Palestinian sovereignty as part of a future peace plan. (cont.)

MK Danny Danon

MK Danny Danon (Likud) said something interesting...

”Where there is no military presence and responsibility, there will be no security for any Jew,"

Hmm... I am not so sure about that. But let us move on for now, and read what the Hag of the East had to say about the proposal...

Times Of Israel: Palestinians: Yes to Jews, no to settlers in our state

Hanan Ashrawi
PLO Executive

Netanyahu raised issue of settlers remaining in a future Palestine during recent talks with John Kerry, Palestinian official says
Elhanan Miller January 27, 2014

The Palestinian refusal to accept Israeli settlers in their future state does not stem from anti-Jewish sentiment, Palestinian officials said on Monday. Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, told The Times of Israel that Jews and members of all religions would have the right to apply for Palestinian citizenship. But “Palestine” could not accept “ex-territorial Jewish enclaves” where residents maintained their Israeli citizenship status, she said. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I thought this might happen, and I actually have somewhat mixed feelings about it.

On one hand, I'm afraid for them. On the other hand, how do we know that this will be the route to the new Kingdom of Israel?

I can see the suburbanites running away, and the warriors from Yitzhar sticking around, with the "10's chasing after the 100's."

It is too complicated, costly, and traumatic for the IDF, and for that matter, the Israeli Government itself, to be involved in any mass expulsions of Jews. I believe that most Israelis across the political and religious spectrum can see the logic in this statement, in agreement with it or not.

And so, if the IDF and the government itself limit their involvement as much as possible, what, then are the options?

1. Have some other entity, like the U. S., with its troops, do the Israeli Government's dirty work.

2. Find a way to convince the settlers to move out on their own,...perhaps by scaring the heck out of them.

3. Let the settlers "take their chances." Many will even want to do just that. And then, if they are annihilated (God Forbid!), the Israeli Government can "I told you so!" and "Look at how barbaric the Palestinians really are!" both in the same breath. And, of course, those pesky settlers will no longer be around to "cause problems," such as follow the Torah, instead of Israeli law.

Leaving Israeli settlers to fend for themselves would be an easy and relatively cheap way to get rid of them, just like another certain, former, Israeli prime minister tried to "get rid of" the pesky settlers of Hevron, back in 1994/תשנ"ד, by letting the Arabs do the job for him. Reprehensible, but true.

Before Purim of that year, posters in Arabic read, "We will finish the job Haman started!"(See Esther 3:5-11)

But, then a certain physician became the ultimate glitch in his plans.

You can call this a 1994 "conspiracy theory" if you insist,...as long as you look at the writing on the wall of 2014.

However, I do not see such negative, end results occurring. Just as Israeli President Shimon Peres has said that he is an optimist, in a way, so am I.

I cannot help but recall the images evoked by the following passage from the Torah, the end of Parashath Behar into the beginning of Parashath Behuqotai:

ויקרא כו
א לֹא-תַעֲשׂוּ לָכֶם אֱלִילִם, וּפֶסֶל וּמַצֵּבָה לֹא-תָקִימוּ לָכֶם, וְאֶבֶן מַשְׂכִּית לֹא תִתְּנוּ בְּאַרְצְכֶם, לְהִשְׁתַּחֲו‍ֹת עָלֶיהָ: כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה, אֱלֹהֵיכֶם. ב אֶת-שַׁבְּתֹתַי תִּשְׁמֹרוּ, וּמִקְדָּשִׁי תִּירָאוּ: אֲנִי, יְהוָה. ג אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִצְו‍ֹתַי תִּשְׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם. ד וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם, בְּעִתָּם; וְנָתְנָה הָאָרֶץ יְבוּלָהּ, וְעֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה יִתֵּן פִּרְיוֹ. ה וְהִשִּׂיג לָכֶם דַּיִשׁ אֶת-בָּצִיר, וּבָצִיר יַשִּׂיג אֶת-זָרַע; וַאֲכַלְתֶּם לַחְמְכֶם לָשֹׂבַע, וִישַׁבְתֶּם לָבֶטַח בְּאַרְצְכֶם. ו וְנָתַתִּי שָׁלוֹם בָּאָרֶץ, וּשְׁכַבְתֶּם וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד; וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי חַיָּה רָעָה, מִן-הָאָרֶץ, וְחֶרֶב, לֹא-תַעֲבֹר בְּאַרְצְכֶם. ז וּרְדַפְתֶּם, אֶת-אֹיְבֵיכֶם; וְנָפְלוּ לִפְנֵיכֶם, לֶחָרֶב. ח וְרָדְפוּ מִכֶּם חֲמִשָּׁה מֵאָה, וּמֵאָה מִכֶּם רְבָבָה יִרְדֹּפוּ; וְנָפְלוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶם לִפְנֵיכֶם, לֶחָרֶב. ט וּפָנִיתִי אֲלֵיכֶם--וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם, וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֶתְכֶם; וַהֲקִימֹתִי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי, אִתְּכֶם. י וַאֲכַלְתֶּם יָשָׁן, נוֹשָׁן; וְיָשָׁן, מִפְּנֵי חָדָשׁ תּוֹצִיאוּ. יא וְנָתַתִּי מִשְׁכָּנִי, בְּתוֹכְכֶם; וְלֹא-תִגְעַל נַפְשִׁי, אֶתְכֶם. יב וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי, בְּתוֹכְכֶם, וְהָיִיתִי לָכֶם, לֵאלֹהִים; וְאַתֶּם, תִּהְיוּ-לִי לְעָם. יג אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, מִהְיֹת לָהֶם, עֲבָדִים; וָאֶשְׁבֹּר מֹטֹת עֻלְּכֶם, וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם קוֹמְמִיּוּת. 

Deuteronomy 26
1. You shall not make yourselves any idols, neither shall you raise up for yourselves a graven image, or a pillar, neither shall you place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God. 2 You shall keep My Sabbaths, and revere My sanctuary: I am the LORD. 3 If you walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them; 4 then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall yield her produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 And your threshing shall reach to the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time; and you shall eat your bread until satisfied, and dwell in your land safely. 6 And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make frighten you; and I will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. 7 And you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8 And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. 9 And I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you; and will establish My covenant with you. 10 And ye shall eat old store long kept, and ye shall bring forth the old from before the new. 11 And I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people. 13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bars of your yoke, and made you go upright.

I included this extensive passage here, in order to remind all of us that the so-called "settlers" living in highly ideological towns and hilltops are known for keeping to all of the above.

I envision many, but by far not all, of the suburbanites in Yehudah and Shomron pick up and leave, leaving Yitzhar, some from K'far Tapu'ah and Elon Moreh, Havath Gilad, Eish Qodesh, Havath Ma'on, and like minded towns to fend for themselves, something which many of us have wanted to do all along.

I can easily imagine Arabs running away in fear from these "crazy settlers," who will receiving the prosperity which accompanies their great emunah (faith) in the above passage.

And, just like it only took one from Israel, Nahshon ben Aminadav, to enter the Sea of Reeds, before it split, perhaps it will only take a few hundred "settlers" to keep a hole on the precious gift of a Divinely granted Homeland, before The Almighty will take care of the rest for us.

Shulamit Aloni Is Dead

כ"ז לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

Months, or maybe even years, ago, I had the perfect video clip all ready to commemorate Shulamit Eloni's death.

Please take note that I did NOT use the word "celebrate." Of course, we are not allow to think of such a thing (perish the thought!), for fear of becoming a target of the Israeli Thought Police.

But, then when I heard she had finally left this world, it was not as easy as I thought it would be to "commemorate" her passing.

PM Netanyahu

YNET: Former Minister Shulamit Aloni dies at the age of 85
Israel Prize winner for lifetime achievement was pioneer of civil rights helping expedite legislation of Basic Laws. Netanyahu: I appreciated her contribution, determination

Yaron Druckman, January 24, 2014

Former Education Minister and Meretz Chairwoman Shulamit Aloni, known for her fight for civil rights, passed away Friday at the age of 85.

A statement released by Meretz party reads that she "passed away Friday morning beside her family and lived to a ripe old age."

President Peres

Aloni will be laid to rest on Sunday at the Kfar Shmaryahu Cemetery...

...President Shimon Peres also eulogized Aloni: "She was a fighter for peace and civil rights, and she left a mark in the struggle for women, minorities and those weakened in the society. She was a bold democratic and social fighter. She had a rare combination of sharp intellect, power, individual opinion and social sensitivity...."

...In the eighth Knesset elections she retired from the Labor party and established the Ratz movement, which won three mandates. She served as minister without portfolio in the Yitzhak Rabin administration. In October 1974 she quit following the joining of the National Religious Party into the coalition.

Her fierce statements against her haredi partners in the government infuriated many. Following an ultimatum given by Shas , Aloni was forced to resign from her seat and was moved to serve as minister in charge of the Communications Ministry and the Science and Arts Ministry.

During this period, disputes among Meretz leadership brought Aloni to retire from politics in 1996 after Yossi Sarid announced he intended to run against her for the leadership of the party.

Aloni was one of the first to deal with and promote the subject of civil rights in Israel. During her political life, Aloni helped construct shelters for battered women, worked against religious coercion and created marriage contracts for couples who could not or did not want to be married by an Orthodox rabbi, and was among the founders of the International Center for Peace in the Middle East.

Israel Prize winner
In 2000 she was given the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement, a choice that had a great deal of opposition, mainly in the religious circles. She published several books and articles and was a columnist for Yedioth Ahronoth and the weekly magazine La' Isha (For Women).

After retiring from politics, Aloni continued to lecture in the academic world on matter of civil rights and political-legislative ties. She was also a known activist against the Israeli control of the West Bank and advocated a territorial compromise.

(Tip: The Torah Revolution)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
It seems that Prime Minister Netanyahu has been the most honest about his feelings for Aloni, without being "disrespectful."

President Peres made a very interesting eulogy, filled to the brim with code phrases:

"left a mark in the struggle for women" - radical feminism

"minorities" - Arabs and other non-Jews who really never had any business being here

 "those weakened in the society" - society according to what Aloni alone believed it should be

"bold democratic and social fighter" - loyal Hellenist and Western assimilationist.

"social sensitivity...." - to those who agreed with her. True pluralism was the farthest thing from her agenda

Most leftists have expressed feeling "OK" about sitting in a government with the National Religious (Jewish Home) Party,...knowing full well how they are mostly just State lackeys with kippoth. Odd that this was not good enough for Aloni. Yet, the next quote about her reveals why.

She "worked against religious coercion and created marriage contracts for couples who could not or did not want to be married by an Orthodox rabbi." In other words, she was in a constant battle against the Torah.

Is there really anymore to be said about Shulamit Aloni?

Well, actually, yes, there is.

Rabbi Shai Piron
Minister of RE-Education
Expressing his loyalty to the State???

YNET: Minister Piron: Aloni was ground-breaking, courageous leader
Moran Azulay, Shachar Chai, January 24, 2014

Israel News Education Minister Shai Piron announced he "regrets the death of Israel Prize laureate and former education minister Shulamit Aloni, who worked with courage, honesty and integrity which are a model for a ground-breaking leader, a woman of principle and action with firm ideology. Her legacy will continue to accompany us for years to come."

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
What's worse, Shulamit Aloni being completely forthcoming regarding her venomous hatred toward everything Jewish, which she was unable to manipulate to her own advantage?

Or a "rabbi" praising her for it?

Anyway, during my deep thoughts as to how to approach Shulamit Aloni's death, I was halted by a conundrum.

Could it be that Shulamit Aloni was simply k'tinoq shenishba, albeit under the most lenient opinion, and knew not the damage to Am Yisra'el and Eretz Yisr'ael she was doing?

And because of this, when she arrives before the Heavenly Court, will she be held culpable for her acts of evil?

And, I know that you are all asking, even if she was a  rash'ah (evil woman), who am I to judge?

Shulamit Aloni
former Minister of
Western Assimilation

Then, during my contemplation over Shulamit Aloni's passing, the resolution came to me. Let us suppose for a moment,...only for a moment, that Aloni was not culpable for her sinister plots to assimilate the Jewish People completely into Western, progress "culture," and to erase the Torah from the earth, albeit that would be impossible.

Then who is to blame for the consequences of all of Aloni's perpetration of acts against the Torah, if not herself? 

You are.

All those of you mamalakhtim (undying State-loyalists) who got upset at the intolerance and judging against the likes of Shulamit Aloni, those of you rebuked those of us who dared to stand up and declare her acts for what they were: evil!

"But she could always do teshuvah (repent)!" you cried.

But, what did you actually do to assist her in doing teshuvah? Did you give her a hug, and tell her how much you loved her as a sister? She would not even have sat in a government with most of you!

You did nothing! Worse yet

True. Shulamit Aloni will be judged as she will be judged, and there is nothing I suppose we can do about it one way or another, except perhaps pray.

However, what IS in your power, is to do your own heshbon nefesh (inventory), and ask yourself how you not only stood idly by, but made excuses for it, while Shulamit Aloni was raging war against Torah values and sensibilities before your very eyes.

Not about that video clip...

While I was taking the time to ponder Shulamit Aloni's death, Paula Stern sort of beat me to the punch. Even though I had been thinking of how apropos presenting the video clip below would be, ages ago. I suppose that many others thought of it already, as well.

As to whether it is appropriate or not to present such a clip to commemorate the death of Shulamit Aloni, who may or may not, be culpable for the grave damage to the heart and soul of Israel she was behind, I say, "What the hell?!"

I'll embed it here nevertheless.

It is, after all, a classic! (listen closely at time marker 2:00)

A Divided Jerusalem: How Do You Slice It?

כ"ו לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

So, how DO the Powers That Be intend to divide up Jerusalem, and render this Holy City away from the Jewish People? Why don't Jews appear to be fighting nearly enough to hold onto this precious possession?

According to the Arabs...

YNET: 'Palestinian sovereignty, 1967 borders shredded to pieces'Peace talks-privy PLO official Yasser Abed Rabbo says US peace plan includes allowing Israel to freely operate in Palestinian territory, small Jerusalem suburb would be symbolic Palestinian capital 

Elior Levy, January 24, 2014 

...In an interview with Palestinian magazine Tariq, PLO's Abed Rabbo said that Kerry's plan includes security arrangements that would unfold over many years. These security measures would be joined by criteria that would depend on the improvement of the Palestinian security establishment. Israel would be the one to examine and decide whether the Palestinian security performance is adequate or not.

However, the US will take part and be present in the evaluation of the Palestinian Authority's security establishment so that Israel would withdraw and evacuate some of the areas in the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley. In addition, Israel would have security arrangements in mountain tops and in the skies. Israel would also maintain the right to perform live chases within the Palestinian country's territory if any threat dictates the need to do so. 

He stressed that these ideas were completely unacceptable by the Palestinian leadership. Abed Rabbo argued that according to the Israeli perception, the large settlements that are not in settlement blocs should still be considered as part of them. He said that the Palestinians heard Israel is interested in either long-term leasing of what is left in the non-bloc settlements or to keep these settlements within the Palestinian country, along with maintaining the Israeli citizenship of those who reside there. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Well, of course, the Arabs are whining, because what they really want is this:

Palestinian vision of Israel: Extinction!
(May God Forbid!)

Arutz 7: ‘Govt. to Split Jerusalem – Where are the Rabbis?’
Rabbi Yisrael Ariel wonders at fellow rabbis’ silence over plan to give away Jerusalem holy sites.

Maayana Miskin, January 23, 2014

The government is planning to cede several sites in ancient Jerusalem to Muslim and Christian ownership, and Israel’s rabbis remain silent, Rabbi Yisrael Ariel has accused. 

“There is a terrible plan, called the ‘holy basin,’ to split Jerusalem between Christians, Muslims and Jews,” Rabbi Ariel said, speaking to Arutz Sheva. 

Rabbi Ariel, who heads the Temple Institute, continued, “The Christians will get the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Mount Zion, the Muslims will get the Temple Mount, and we Jews will need to visit the Kotel (Western Wall) under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority...” 

...Even if Jewish worship at the Kotel were to continue freely, the loss of access to the Temple Mount would be highly significant. The Temple Mount is the holiest site on earth according to Judaism, and is the place where the First Temple and Second Temple once stood. 

President Peres receives a gift from Pope Francis
(avodah zarah blacked out)
The Vatican, April, 2013

The plan to split Jerusalem’s holy sites between various religions “has existed for some time, and now they’re going to implement it in stages,” Rabbi Ariel warned, adding, “During the Pope’s next visit they plan to transfer the Cenacle on Mount Zion to him, turning it into a pilgrimage site.” 

He criticized Israel’s rabbis, including the Chief Rabbis, for their silence. “Not long ago they gave the Russian Compound to Russia, now the Christians are restoring a church – unused until now – on the Mount of Olives, and thus they slowly sell Jerusalem, and nobody raises their voice in protest,” he charged. 

“Where is the Chief Rabbinate? They’re going to take the heart of Jerusalem and make it a Christian center,” he continued. 

“Remember Rabbi Nissim. When the Pope came to visit fifty years ago, he insisted that if the Pope wanted to meet him he could come to his office in Jerusalem, he would not go greet him,” Rabbi Ariel recalled. 

He accused his fellow rabbis of focusing on “price tag” vandalism of Arab property rather than the future of Jerusalem. “Three hundred rabbis spoke out against ‘price tag.’ Is this what you’ve found to get involved with, is this what pains you? 

“Instead of meeting with the Prime Minister to protest the sale of Jerusalem, you’re speaking out against a handful of youths who burned a rug,” he accused. 

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Rabbi Yisra'el Ariel 

Rabbi Yisra'el Ariel is one of the few rabbis, hakhamim (scholars) rather, who openly defies the Israeli Government when it stands in defiance of the Torah. He has sat in jail several times, because of such principles, as well.

His beth hadin (rabbinic court) has openly declared that any sale, or handing over for free, of Jewish land, is null and void. After all, it is not for us to make such decisions; they are only for The Alimighty.

Shimon Peres
President of Israel
King of...?

We do what we are supposed to, and that includes fighting for His precious gift of a Homeland, and then He decides whether we are to keep it or not. Of course, in the end, He will have compassion on us, and grant us all of our due,...even in spite of Esau and Yishma'el, and the Erev Rav which stands between the two.

How could I possibly say it any better than Rabbi Yisra'el Ariel?!

“Instead of meeting with the Prime Minister to protest the sale of Jerusalem, you’re speaking out against a handful of youths who burned a rug.”

I love it! It's so true!

So, dividing Jerusalem, how do you slice it?

Well,...you don't! It belongs to the Jewish People, by the Grace of the Holy One, Blessed Be He!

Likud vs. Likud, Part Deux

כ"ו לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

First we had MK Ze'ev Elkin acting as the thorn in Prime Minister Netanyahu's side in Likud vs. Likud. Now we have Likud vs. Likud, part 2, starring Ministers Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon and Gil'ad Erdan.

Arutz 7: Homefront Minister Threatens to Quit over Defense Ministry Spat
Gilad Erdan on Thursday struck back against Moshe Ya'alon, who on Wednesday implied that Erdan was “dead weight” on the government.

David Lev, January 23, 2014

Gilad Erdan
Home Front
Security Minister

Homefront Security Ministry Minister Gilad Erdan on Thursday struck back against Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, who on Wednesday implied that Erdan was “dead weight” on the government. Speaking Wednesday, Ya'alon said that the Homefront Ministry was “a waste of public money,” and that any responsibility for the safety of Israelis, whether on the battlefield or the home front, was his.

"Regarding the argument about home front defense and the Home Front Command, I'm not avoiding responsibility," Ya’alon said on Wednesday. "The responsibility is mine. Across the board. We can’t split the issue and establish a Ministry to give orders to the Home Front Command, and the Chief of Staff will give orders to the Home Front Command, and I will give them orders. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Instead of having a separate ministry for issues related to home front defense, argued Ya’alon, the responsibilities should be given to a deputy minister within the Ministry of Defense, as has been the case in the past.

"Once you start to split the responsibilities because of political considerations, and certainly if you start to build a Ministry with a CEO, with an independent legal capacity, an independent budget etc, it is a waste of public money,” he said.

It was the most public display of what has apparently been an ongoing spat between the two, and Erdan did not take the criticism well. Speaking Thursday, Erdan said that if his office was irrelevant, it was Ya'alon himself who was making it so.

Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon
Defense Minister

“The Defense Minister is preventing the transfer of several homefront responsibilities to my office,” Erdan said. “He won't let me do my job, and then he complains that I can't do the job and that my ministry should be closed down.”

Erdan said that the Defense Ministry has not yet released several million shekels for manpower and equipment needed for the ministry – a relative pittance compared to the NIS 60 billion ($17 billion) that the Defense Ministry swallows up annually.

“If anyone wants to examine public waste, I suggest we start with the biggest budget sectors,” a Homefront Command Ministry official was quoted as saying Wednesday. Erdan said that if the money was not forthcoming, “I will indeed leave this post.”

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Well, I must admit that Defense Minister Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon makes some good points.

On the other hand, so does Homefront Defense Minister Gil'ad Erdan.

It is not so clear exactly who acting, based on political considerations, quite possibly both of them.

However, what caught my was that although Ya'alon made it to position #8 on the Likud Party list, in the last set of primaries (2013), Erdan reached position #4. After combining the Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu lists Ya'alon was lowered #12, and Erdan to #5. Either way you slice it, Erdan appears to have had more of a

So, why is Ya'alon going after Erdan? Does he really believe in what he is saying about the waste and the politics involved

Making it to #3 is pretty a guaranteed ministerial portfolio. Was the Homefront Ministry created to keep an apparently too popular Erdan off on the sidelines? Or was the creation of this ministry really thought to be a good idea, and good investment in Israel's security? Or perhaps both, as it would keep Ya'alon and Erdan from fighting, if they were placed in the same Defense Ministry, in the tradition model Ya'alon mentions above.

In any case, it seems that one, if not both, of these Likud Ministers is vying for power.

Meanwhile, who's watching the fort?

To be continued...

Another Award for Shimon Peres: What Now?

כ"ה לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

Arutz 7: Shimon Peres Wins 'Global Leadership' Award at Davos
President awarded for 'tolling the bell of peace and harmony'; uses the opportunity to launch more criticism at Rouhani.

Tova Dvorin, January 24, 2014

President Shimon Peres

President Shimon Peres received the "spirit of Davos award" at the World Economic Forum Friday, Channel 2 reports.

The award, which was given to Peres for his "global leadership," was shaped in a bell. The text reads, "to President Shimon Peres, a unique visionary and global statesman for tolling the bell of peace and harmony."

"I would like to take this bell, with your permission, around the Middle East and toll it for peace," Peres joked, upon receiving the award. "Even if we have this bell, we have to use it."

The award comes just 2 days after Peres pushed Israel toward an interim agreement once again, stating that the demand for the Palestinian Authority to recognize Israel as a Jewish State is "unnecessary." Peres has stated that "peace" is attainable in the current talks, and has pressed Israel to make enormous concessions, threatening that if it doesn't do so it "would be tragic for the Middle East. The situation in the Middle East can flare up overnight if the talks fail."

When asked what he will do after stepping down in July, Peres declared that he does not plan on disappearing from the public eye. "If you ask me to describe myself, I would say that I'm an optimist and never satisfied," he stated. "A good Jew can never be satisfied. Enjoyment stems from the work done, not from rest." (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
So, President Peres took "the opportunity to launch more criticism at [Iranian President] Rouhani."

Big deal.

"to President Shimon Peres, a unique visionary and global statesman for tolling the bell of peace and harmony."

Translation: ...for working toward the assimilation of the Jewish People, the blurring of Israel's borders, and the bringing together of Yisma'el with Esau.

"The award comes just 2 days after Peres pushed Israel toward an interim agreement once again, stating that the demand for the Palestinian Authority to recognize Israel as a Jewish State is "'unnecessary.'" 

Unnecessary? In Peres's time, he has stated that several other things are "unnecessary," such as borders.

Sorry, President Peres, but The Almighty disagrees with you. I do hope that you do not mind.

Peres's protégé, Former MK, and post-Zionist extraordinaire, Yossi Beilin, has gone as far as say that a Jewish state is no longer necessary, since it is so safe for Jews around the world.

Translation: Assimilate among the goyim (non-Jews). Disappear....

"The situation in the Middle East can flare up overnight if the talks fail."

Translation: You "sheeple" NEED us to protect you. ie. simple fear mongering,...

"A good Jewish man?" Peres would not know a A good Jewish man" if he was smacked in the face by one (...not that I would encourage such a thing).

"...the greatest pleasure is at work and not at rest."

Translation: We have not seen, nor heard, nor felt the last of Peres's shenanigans.

Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Whose Money is it Anyway? Yours? Or the Bank's?

כ"ה לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

I have present the following article in full for your convenience. It is worth reading. Who knew that it pays to glance at Yahoo! News?

Yahoo! News: Prove it: Bank blocking some customers from making large withdrawals without ‘evidence’ of spending need

Eric Pfeiffer, January 25, 2014

"The World's Local Bank"

If you bank at HSBC in England, don’t plan on making any large cash withdrawals. At least not without a good explanation. Or, maybe even a permission slip.

That’s because a previously unannounced change in banking policy is blocking some customers from making large withdrawals without “evidence” explaining why they need the money from their accounts .

The policy affects customers attempting withdrawals for amounts as little as £5,000 ($8,253).

HSBC says it’s all done in the name of customer protection.

"The reason being we have an obligation to protect our customers, and to minimize the opportunity for financial crime,” HSBC said in a statement. “However, following feedback, we are immediately updating guidance to our customer facing staff to reiterate that it is not mandatory for customers to provide documentary evidence for large cash withdrawals, and on its own, failure to show evidence is not a reason to refuse a withdrawal. We are writing to apologize to any customer who has been given incorrect information and inconvenienced."

The change in approach comes after the BBC aired reports from multiple HSBC customers who said they were denied in their recent attempts to make cash withdrawals.

Banking customer Stephen Cotton says he attempted to withdraw approximately $11,000 to repay a loan from his mother but was blocked from doing so.

"When we presented them with the withdrawal slip, they declined to give us the money because we could not provide them with a satisfactory explanation for what the money was for,” he told the BBC. “They wanted a letter from the person involved."

Cotton says the bank wouldn’t even tell him how much he was allowed to withdraw under the new policy, which was not announced to customers when taking affect last November.

"So I wrote out a few slips. I said, 'Can I have £5,000?' They said no. I said, 'Can I have £4,000?' They said no. And then I wrote one out for £3,000 and they said, 'OK, we'll give you that.' "

In the U.S. there have been rumors of similar restrictions that major banks such as Citibank have denied. After the massive security breach at Target retail stores in December, JP Morgan did place a temporary limit on how much cash customers could withdraw from Chase ATM’s at Target stores and how much they could spend on their debit cards at one time. But that limit has since been removed.

A Conservative member of the British Parliament said the change in policy “infantilizes the customer.” However, the head of retail at the British Bankers Association defended the policy.

"I can understand it's frustrating for customers,” Eric Leenders told the BBC. “But if you are making the occasional large cash withdrawal, the bank wants to make sure it's the right way to make the payment."

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
"I can understand it's frustrating for customers. But if you are making the occasional large cash withdrawal, the bank wants to make sure it's the right way to make the payment."

"sheeple" = sheep + people

What business is it of the banks what I choose to do with my money? Absolutely none. The banks not only treat us like "sheeple," but want us to believe that we are "sheeple," ourselves.

People will no doubt call me "paranoid" and "reactionary."

Was the breach in Target security a "false flag" event?

Was it purposeful negligence on the part of Citibank/Target, knowing full well there are ambitious hackers out there with mouths watering over such a target? (No pun intended)

In any event, this seems to be the pattern with government, and now, apparently banks,...as if there were any difference between the two.

Both try to demonstrate how much we supposedly need them,...for our own "protection."

It is just going to get worse. Just pay attention to future events, and you will see for yourself.

I hope that the switchover to an entirely plastic economy is obvious to you all, although I am afraid that I tend to doubt it.

Of course, how much is the paper currency worth now anyways?

A new law in the U. S., and with the cooperation of other countries, the U. S. government may now freeze my Israeli bank account (Thanks a lot, Israel!), if I do not file my taxes annually, even if I do not owe the U. S. government anything!

I suppose THAT is also supposed to be for my own protection, huh?

I do not know about you, but at this point, I prefer my mattress over any banks.

Missing: Israeli Style

מוצש"ק פר' משפטים תשע"ד

When thinking of the word "missing," what generally comes to mind are disappearances reported in countries such as Iran, Saddam Hussein's Iraq, 1970's Cambodia, Argentina, and Chile.

One does not automatically think of such occurrences in a so-called, Western, progressive, "civilized" and "democratic" country such as Israel.

Even Left-wing Meretz Party Leader MK Zahava Gal-On has been critical of this lack of due process, even against her right-wing, religious nemeses. Perhaps even she has recognized that anyone whoever goes against the government's party line risks being its next target.

Arutz 7: Security Makes Samaria Man Disappear
Shabak arrests north Samaria resident in front of wife and 3 young children, doesn't allow any contact for week. Man accused of 'price tag.' 

Ari Yashar, January 24, 2014 

Yehudah Landsberg

Rabbi Hillel Reines, a resident of Yitzhar in Samaria, spoke to Arutz Sheva on Friday morning about his son-in-law Yehuda Landsberg, who was arrested at the beginning of the week over suspicions of involvement in "price tag" vandalism. 

Rabbi Reines reports that Landsberg, a construction contractor from Havat Gilad in northern Samaria, was with his wife Emunah and their 3 children on the way to a family brit milah (circumcision). 

At the Yitzhar Junction, a large police force was lying in wait for the young family. 

Initially the police wanted to arrest the entire family, but after a debate they settled on arresting Yehuda alone. 

"When the force realized that arresting my daughter Emunah with her small children would be complicated, they decided to give up on her," tells Rabbi Reines. 

Yehuda has not been seen since the arrest, his family has not been allowed to see or talk with him. His father-in-law posits that he may be being held at the Shabak (Internal Security) headquarters near Petach Tikvah. 

"Supreme Court judges also were concerned by Shabak and helped them completely cut off Yehuda from his family," reports the rabbi, noting that Yehuda won't be able to meet a lawyer until next Sunday and will stay in arrest until at least Tuesday. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Or perhaps, Israel is not the Western, progressive, "civilized" and "democratic" country you thought it was.



Missing (1982) - When an idealistic writer disappears during the Right Wing military coup in 1973 Chile, his wife and American businessman father try to find him. Starring Jack Lemon and Sissy Spacek.


Death And The Maiden (1994) - A political activist is convinced that her guest is a man who once tortured her for the [Chilean] government. Starring Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley.

Hysterical and far-fetched comparisons to deMOCKratic Israel? You had better hope so.

Israeli Presidential Campaigning is Underway!

ערב שבת קודש פר' משפטים תשע"ד

Arutz 7: 10,000 Sign Petition for Nobel Prize-Winner's Presidency Bid

Dan Schechtman
Nobel Laureate, Chemistry

Petition posted by the staff of Israeli site Atzuma garners 10,000 votes for Daniel Shechtman to run for President.

Tova Dvorin, January 21, 2014

Rise of the unlikely candidate: Maariv reports Tuesday that 10,000 people have already signed a petition nominating Nobel Laureate Daniel Shechtman for the next presidential elections.

The explanatory note to the petition, which was posted on Atzuma (the Israeli equivalent of change.org) by the site's owners, states that the move was a necessary one for the nomination, which also requires the backing of at least 10 Knesset members.

Dan Shechtman with a scanning
transmission electron microscope.
(Photo Credit: Bob Elbert)

The petition was posted within an hour of Shechtman's announcement of his campaign on Channel 1 Friday night, and within 5 days has surpassed its 10,000-person goal mark.

The initiative received a bigger boost after Shechtman's interview Sunday with Channel 10, according to Maariv.

During the interview, Shechtman reflected, "I do a lot for the State of Israel and its citizens in the Diaspora [. . .] I think that the position of President would give me far more influence than I have now."

He stated that he would not be joining a political party for now, citing the need to be "a man of the people" rather than subscribe to a particular agenda. The Laureate also stressed that his first priority would be improving Israel's education system.

Dan Shechtman explaining his Nobel Prize-winning theory to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
(Photo Credit: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO/Flash 90)

Shechtman was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2011 for his discovery of quasicrystals, or the fact that atoms in a crystal are capable of being formed in a way that does not involve a repetitive pattern. While he does not have a political background, he explained during his announcement his belief that his problem-solving skills might better the State of Israel.

President Shimon Peres

Presidential elections are due for next summer, and anticipation has already begun to rise in the minds of the Israeli public. A recent poll found that most Israelis favor the possibility that that the 90-year-old Peres will remain in his position for a second term. This followed reports that Peres would seek another seven-year term as President, requiring a legislative change.

Peres has rejected the reports, declaring in an interview that he will end his term as scheduled next summer.

Other names which have already been mentioned as potential presidential candidates are Minister Silvan Shalom (Likud), MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud) and MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor). The recent poll indicated that should Peres not seek a second term, Rivlin was the most favored candidate among the Israeli public.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Well, on one hand, how could he possible do any worse than previous presidents who have remained silent when should not have, like Moshe Katzav, or who have opened their mouths when they should have remained silent, like Shimon Peres?

Of course, someone should mention to Dan Schechtman that the role of the Israeli President is an a-political one, and not to rely on the incumbent president as an example.

On the other hand, Rivlin sounds like a good, possible choice. And, I don't care what Shimon Peres says now. Do NOT count him of the running just yet....

Still on the other hand, how about voting in an authentically Jewish government all together? You know, one with a King (or real Nassi), a Sanhedrin, and local Batei Din (Rabbinical Courts).

Too innovative? Too much rocking of the boat? Too bad.